Emeritus Consultants Biographies

Thomas Edward WATERS University of Queensland MB BS 1956 MRACP 1961, FRACP 1971. Consultant Gastroenterologist

Tom Waters was born in Gympie, Queensland in 1931 the son of Mathew Waters, an engineer and Enid (nee Tucker).  He studied medicine at Queensland University qualifying MB BS in 1956.

In 1962 Tom went to the Gastroenterology Department at the Central Middlesex Hospital, London where he was Clinical Assistant to Sir Avery-Jones.  This was followed by a period as Fellow in Gastroenterology at St Mark's Hospital and then he joined the Medical Research Council's Gastroenterology Research Unit at the Central Middlesex Hospital.  He was supported here in part by a Jubilee Grant from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Tom came to Perth in 1964 and was appointed Assistant Physician at the Royal Perth Hospital, Clinical Assistant Physician at the Fremantle Hospital and Visiting Physician (Gastroenterology Research) at the Repatriation General Hospital.  From 1964 to 1966 he was also Consultant Physician to Australian Paper Manufacturers.  In 1965 Tom was made Physician and in 1969 Physician in Gastroenterology at the Royal Perth Hospital.  In 1974 he was appointed Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, a position he held for nearly 11 years.  This was followed in 1985 by his appointment as Senior Visiting Gastroenterologist.  Tom had a major role in the development of gastroenterology at the Royal Perth Hospital but in addition to this he has given his time in other areas.  He was a member of a number of committees including the Drug Committee.

Dr Waters has had many papers published in key journals and in more recent years these have been in association with Marshall and others, focusing on their work with Campylobacter pyloridis infection.

In 1957 Tom married Elaine Harry, who is also a medical practitioner.  They have two children, a son and a daughter; both studied medicine.  The son is a urological surgeon and the daughter a pathologist.  Outside of medicine Tom is interested in bowls, cricket and local history.

Tom Waters retired in 1996 and in recognition of his service to the hospital over a period of 32 years, the Board of Management appointed him Emeritus Consultant Physician.